Foreign Minister Steinmeier issued the following statement in Berlin today (18 October) on the situation in Yemen:

“I welcome the UN‑mediated ceasefire in Yemen.

The 72‑hour break in the fighting merely provides a respite, nothing more for the time being. However, if the recent terrible events have increased the readiness of the parties to the conflict to finally reach out to one another again, it would give cause for fresh hope that the violence can be ended.

With its statement on the attack on a funeral gathering in Sana’a on 8 October, Saudi Arabia has helped to shed light on the attack.

Although many questions have still to be answered, a cessation of all hostilities or at least a substantial reduction in violence creates space for new political initiatives.

We firmly support the peace efforts of the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.”